Sidney grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and was a know commodity from an early age by his local community. After his eighth grade season Renardo attended a basketball camp in NJ and was an instant sensation. He briefly attended Piney Woods School in Mississippi. He was later ruled ineligable after former Ole Miss assistant Wayne Brent recruited his father as an assistant coach. In all, Sidney has attended 3 high schools in 3 years and currently attends Fairfax Senior High.
Sidney plays his summer ball for the LA Dream team, a new team to the summer circuit. The team is actually coached by Renardo Sidney Sr.
Sidney has grown into a once in every few years kind of specimen. Standing 6′10, 270 pounds Sidney can more than hold his own in the post, probably the post in the NBA’s eastern conference as well. Sidney is more than capable of knocking down the short jumper and he passes the ball as good as any other big man in his class. Not to mention his serviceable ball handling skills. He will fit nicely into high post offensive sets at the division 1 level and beyond.
Sidney played his sophomore season for division 3 power house Lakewood Artesia, CA. Sidney put the team on his broad shoulders and plowed his way to the state title. Producing a frenzy not seen around a dominant center in the L.A. area, since Amir Johnson’s fabled run. A writer on the L.A. Times staff went so far to say this:
“Sidney is like Shaq, only he can shoot threes.”
That opinion may be in the minority because Sidney has been criticized at times for his work ethic. Fairfax High coach Harvey Kitani has been coaching for 27 seasons. Kitani willed Sidney into manageable game shape, now the intriguing big could be the best pupil he’s ever mentored:
“He is such a phenomenal player,” Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani said. “He has a great feel for the game.”
“What’s amazing about the guy is he has a lot of skills,” Kitani said. “I’m impressed with the fact he has a pretty complete game.”
Kitani is the kind of coach that Sidney needs. Kitani takes a no nonsense, everyone is equal approach to coaching. Sidney sat out the first monthof this past season with a knee injury. Sidney thought that he would leisurely walk through and ease his way back into practice in October of 2007. Sidney quickly realized that he had to go full speed that day and everyday. Kitani looks as if he came into the big fella’s life at the right time. The Coach’s track record should speak for itself. Former Lion’s include Josh Shipp, Chance Stanback and Jamal Boykin.
Sidney put up some huge numbers this past season in mid January Sidney posted 36 points (career high) 19 boards, 3 blocks and 5 assists as his Fairfax Lions won a close one 68-63. Oh yeah, 10 of his points came on dunks.
As of now, Sidney is on the the path to superstar-dome and is a sure fire lottery pick whenever he is ready to go. Kentucky is among his favorites’ and its nice to see the Wildcat’s consistently and seriously mentioned by top notch players. If one gets their name on enough lists, eventually it’s going to pay off. Unfortunately, the consensus is that Sidney would like to remain on the west coast.
Fairfax also has a unique variation of a shoe designed by Nike. The Lebron Zoom’s were done in a limited run for the storied basketball team.
